"Soldiers with 'No Time to Chill' Cover Themselves with Blankets Instead of Military Blankets"

All Dormitory Blankets Replaced with Comforters
"We Will Seek Welfare That Soldiers Can Truly Feel"

The Ministry of National Defense has completely replaced the bedding used by Army and Marine Corps soldiers from blankets to commercial comforters. As a result, all soldiers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps can now sleep in barracks using comforters instead of blankets.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 17th, the Air Force and Navy have used blankets and quilted covers since 1974 and 1999 respectively, due to the nature of living outdoors during emergencies after leaving their garrisons. The Ministry has improved soldiers' living conditions by allowing them to use soft commercial bedding in the barracks, and stated that blankets and quilted covers will be reserved for use during wartime or training.

Starting next year, a pilot project called "Safe Clean Laundry," which entrusts the washing of comforters to professional companies, will be implemented in 10 infantry brigades. Currently, individuals wash the bedding or use military-exclusive laundry machines before distributing them to new recruits, but going forward, bedding used by discharged soldiers will be washed by external professional companies before being issued to new recruits.

Additionally, new stainless steel canteens with wider mouths for easier cleaning will be distributed and fully replaced by 2026. Returned canteens from discharged soldiers will also be cleaned by external professional companies and reissued to new recruits.

From next year, 13 units will operate "civilian-contracted military dining halls" to pilot buffet-style meals where soldiers can choose menus according to their preferences. The Ministry of National Defense plans to analyze the operational results and gradually expand buffet-style dining halls.

A Ministry of National Defense official emphasized, "In civilian-contracted dining halls, food is prepared only in the amount that soldiers will eat, and more is made on demand to reduce food waste. Currently, buffet-style meal operations are possible without additional costs beyond the daily meal allowance of 13,000 KRW per soldier."

The "Regional Win-Win Special Meals for Soldiers," which provides food through various methods such as dining out, delivery, and chef invitations via local businesses near the units, will be fully implemented in all units next year. The frequency will also increase from 9 times a year to 12 times. There is also consideration to hold an additional event during occasions like Armed Forces Day or the Month of Patriots and Veterans, raising the total to about 15 times a year.

Lee Gap-su, the Ministry of National Defense's Logistics Management Officer, stated, "We will continue to devise various measures to enhance welfare that soldiers can feel and to revitalize the local economy."